UC celebrates Holi Festival of Colors

They were an empty canvas before the event began: white shirts, tank tops and shorts.It only took a 10-second count down for more than 100 people to be dusted in a myriad of colors as they tossed handfuls of colored powder into the air.

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Uticaod

Posted Apr. 18, 2014 at 6:19 PM
Updated Apr 18, 2014 at 7:46 PM

Posted Apr. 18, 2014 at 6:19 PM
Updated Apr 18, 2014 at 7:46 PM

They were an empty canvas before the event began: white shirts, tank tops and shorts.

It only took a 10-second count down for more than 100 people to be dusted in a myriad of colors as they tossed handfuls of colored powder into the air.

The Holi Festival of Colors event took place Friday on Utica College’s campus to celebrate the coming of spring.

“It’s to welcome spring and leave winter behind,” said 20-year-old Victoria Anw, president of the Asian Student Union — one of several student organizations that participated in the event. “It’s basically to have fun and bring something new and diverse.”

Holi was originally a commemoration of good harvests and fertile land, but has evolved into a way of celebrating the beginning of spring.

It also serves a religious purpose, commemorating events in Hinduism, representing the triumph of good over bad.

Students and area residents alike were invited to the celebration on the sunny, cool day.

“I saw pictures of my friends last year. It looked so fun, so I wanted to try it out for myself,” said Tasha Davis, a 21-year-old Utica College junior, as she attempted to wipe off blotches of orange powder from her face. “This is great.”

Streaked in an assortment of colors, Matt Wyland, 22, carried 21-year-old Anna Mazzarelli around on his back as students attempted to squirt one another with water or toss a handful of powder at friends.